Better office design can improve people’s lives writes Genghis Akay, Sales Director at Planet Partitioning. This should be a given but it’s often surprising how many businesses don’t consider workplace design a good business investment. One thing is for sure, technology can play a huge role in the future of our office environment to meet our needs and ensure it is truly a productive space.  For designers, it’s never been more important to get the balance right to ensure technology and office design integrates seamlessly.  What tools are at the designer’s disposal to make the design and operation of offices appealing to the employee to want to come to work and interact with others? Technology continues and will continue to play a big part in the way we work. It enables us to work from almost anywhere. This flexibility may well improve the health and wellbeing of the employee but we still have a long way to go in terms of the way in which we communicate how spaces should and need to be used. It’s vitally important employees have better structured and designed rooms and be able to utilise technology to maximise productivity. Glass partitions The advent of videoconferencing has seen rapid growth, but in the modern open office environment this has a knock-on effect with acoustical challenges for the designer. Glass, drywall, wood and concrete surfaces only exacerbate the issue.  There is a need for these spaces to be soundproof so that confidential discussions can be held. Therefore, it is a case of keeping noise out, as well as in. However, there is also the need for these spaces to feel open and airy rather than claustrophobic and closed in. This is why the acoustic performance of glazed partitions is so important. Furthermore, with the invention of special LCD privacy films on glass partitions, people can see through the film both ways, resulting in total screen privacy from the outside whilst being able to see through the film on the inside. Security Security is a concern for any business, but old fashioned and inconvenient security methods are a thing of the past in the 21st century office. Remote control operated locks have had a massive uptake with co-working spaces because people don’t want to issue keys as they may be misplaced or go missing. Partition and door systems need to be designed in a way so they can incorporate new and improved smart locks that can be operated by card keys or are Wi-Fi enabled, dispensing with keys altogether. There are no additional costs for duplicate keys or the associated servicing costs for key-operated locks.  Both Planet’s IsoPro doors and EclipseTec top hung acoustic sliding glass doors have options to include innovative electronic access control devices. With the modern workplace becoming increasingly mobile, there are greater demands on designers to ensure the agile office worker has access to a wide variety of work settings along with the right tools and technology. Ultimately, a shiny new workplace may well have all the bells and whistles but it will only ever work if it accurately reflects the needs of its habitants. Visit: https://www.planetpartitioning.co.uk

The law states that on construction sites action is required to protect those at work on site and members of the public. Therefore, necessary measures must be taken to ensure the health and safety of everyone. This can include enforcing rules within the workplace for employees and making the general public aware of the dangers of entering a construction site. Only authorised personnel who meet the necessary criteria should be allowed on site at any time. Construction sites can potentially be extremely dangerous, so following these safety tips should keep you and your workforce safe while on site. Health & Safety Training It is a legal requirement that employers offer and provide training to their employees. Not doing this can lead to substantial injures or even be fatal for employees. Whilst employers can receive hefty fines for not abiding by the regulations set out to ensure employee health and safety. There are many courses available for working on construction sites, from manual handling courses to working at heights training. Ensuring all employees are trained in the required area will provide a fully qualified and highly competent workforce. One in three injures at work are caused by the manual handling of heavy objects incorrectly. Providing manual handling training will enable workers to carry heavy components in a safe manner. In 2017 falling from height was the most frequent cause of fatal accidents at work, this is surly a good enough reason to make sure any employees working at height are fully trained and qualified to do so. Not only will these injuries affect your employees, but your construction projects may suffer. If the vital work they were carrying out is halted whist they recover or a replacement cannot be found to finish the work, then the project will suffer as a consequence of this. Safety Equipment Within the construction industry there are many hazards and therefore, a vast amount of safety equipment should be used on a day to day basis to keep employees safe. This equipment includes: Fall restraints/arrest systems can be used whist working at heights to prevent injuries or even death. This will either prevent construction workers from falling in the first place or can be used to prevent fatal injuries by safely stopping a worker from falling. These systems can consist of harnesses, horizonal lifelines and vertical lifelines. Safety netting is another example of safety equipment which can be used whilst working at height. Having netting below someone working at height will allow a safe landing if they do fall. Hearing protection should be used when working with loud machinery and power tools on a construction site to protect the ears. Since prolonged periods of exposure to loud noises can cause immediate and long-lasting damage. Tool Lanyards are important types of safety equipment, as this will protect the safety of workers below. Attaching tools to a lanyard will ensure tools aren’t dropped from height onto people working, standing or walking below - which could cause considerable injuries. Protective workwear It is essential for all employees to wear the necessary protective workwear whilst on site. Some workwear is required all the time, whilst some workwear is only required in specific cases. Boots must always be worn on site for protection, since there may be potentially dangerous equipment or machinery on the ground. Also work boots will provide grip for wet and slippery surfaces, particularly in winter when it may be snowy or raining. Helmets must also be worn whenever on site to reduce the risk of head injuries, which could be caused by something being dropped or falling from above. Not only this but head injuries could also be uncured banging it on a low hanging piece of equipment such as a ladder or scaffolding. High vis should be worn to stay safe on the job. The visible clothing will not only notify other employees but also members of the public will then be aware of construction work taking place and take the necessary precautions when passing by. Sun protection is essential during the summer months, since working outside for prolonged periods can cause heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Wearing protective clothes in the hot weather will allow breathability and protect the skin from the sun – reducing the risk of skin related diseases like melanoma. Gloves should be worn for hand protection whilst working on a construction site. Wearing gloves will protect the hands from harmful chemicals, getting cuts from sharp objects or burns. Furthermore, during the winter months gloves can keep the hands warm and supple. Face shields/masks or goggles should be used to protect the face, eyes and lungs if work being carried out emanates toxic fumes, particulate matter or hazardous chemicals. Risk Assessments Carrying out risk assessments is essential when managing health and safety in construction. A risk assessment will identify and evaluate any potential hazards or dangers on the site. In doing this the necessary control measures can be taken to ensure a safer environment. In certain construction sectors, a risk assessment is vital since employees may need to be notified about dangers which cannot be eliminated. For example, any electrical work will come with potentially severe risks which need to be recognised and employees must be advised to proceed with caution. Visible Signage Keeping employees safe is only half the battle – employers also must ensure the safety of the general public according to management regulations. Visible signage must surround the construction site giving warning to passers-by, so they are aware of the dangers of entering the premises. This could consist of signs saying, ‘Warning Construction Site’ or ‘Construction Site KEEP OUT’, they should be yellow, black or red as these are warning colours. Safety fencing should surround the site to protect more vulnerable people and children who may wander onto site unaware of the dangers. Site Organisation No matter the construction activity, the site should be organised and tidy. Slips, trips and falls account for nearly one third of injuries on construction sites, whilst 40% of fatalities are caused by slips, trips and falls. However, there is a simple solution to prevent these injuries – by organising the construction site, keeping materials and equipment out of the way and keeping the site tidy should decrease the number of accidents. Clearly in the winter when the ground is slippery, slips may be more common. Spreading grit or salt on the ground can be an easy fix to lower the chances of employees slipping.

Advancements in technology have improved most industries, including the construction and engineering sectors.  But could humans eventually find themselves redundant within these work spheres at the expense of technology?  Probably not!  After all, software is usually only as good as the human operating it… Computer-based assistance really is just that: a tool to assist. The successful link between computer programmes and engineering skill varies depending on which part of the AEC industry they are being used in. To understand how this factor can impact their relationship, we must first look at the three main stages of engineering design.  Concept design: At this stage, the majority of the design comes from the imagination of the engineer, supported by some simple sizing elements or calculations. Drafting and analysis: This stage brings the concept design into the real world more earnestly, checking that it is feasible and how it will succeed. This stage is predominantly computer-based, using, for example building design software, which strives to assist engineers work with regards to accuracy. Detailed design: This stage is when, as the name suggests, the design becomes much more detailed. At this point, the design is almost completely computer-based, with analysis happening in the background. It’s likely that such processes will always require an aspect of creativity and imagination — the ability to think outside the box and problem-solve in new ways. But it’s not just the imaginative aspect that machines cannot replicate in full: fine tuning, for example, still needs a guiding human hand in order to ensure the outputs are correct. While leaps and bounds are certainly being made in machine learning, whereby computers can now make decisions based on historical data and records, it is highly unlikely that this will develop to the point where human skill and judgement become obsolete. Naturally, human judgment is not flawless. Mistakes can be made when writing the programmes designed to support design, or further along the line when inputting data into these programmes. Either error will result in an inaccurate output. For this reason, the topic of automated checking — whereby computer programmes will check the input against previous projects and their success or failure — has been a hot point of discussion within the AEC industry lately. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the majority of engineering disasters have occurred due to something unusual; that is, something that has not happened in previous related projects. While rule-checkers help when situations where rules apply, they aren’t able to flag something that hasn’t happened in previous records, i.e. something unusual. There are many examples of such missed errors. For example, the Millennium Bridge’s well-known wobble was not picked up on at any point by the design’s code. Programmes failed to predict the wind instability of Tacoma Narrows. While engineers can make use of a value judgement, computer programmes do not. As the world changes, engineers will make a value judgement to adapt their designs accordingly. In order for both human and technological processes to be as accurate as possible, formulas need to be crafted. There are several structures and designs that have had formulas developed exclusively for them. For example, the original formula creation for shell structures had to be created by expert mathematicians to ensure success. Now, with Finite element Analysis, almost any form can be analysed — but that does not mean these forms are always sensible. There’s a certain amount of tension between architects and engineers surrounding this. Where engineers are seen as wanting functionality, architect are seen as wanting novelty first. But this disparity makes for the perfect partnership towards the best designs.        

Figures show one-in-six construction-based workers suffers from a form of mental illness. Even more alarming is the statistic that reveals suicide kills more people in the building sector than falls from height writes Steph Palmer, BriggsAmasco Training Officer. It’s also reported that two construction workers reportedly take their own life each day. Such distressing data highlights the urgent need for roofing companies and the industry as a whole to educate employees and ensure they have the best possible support in order to recognise mental stress symptoms in themselves and colleagues. In doing so, they will be taking a vital first step to making a full recovery from the debilitating effects of anxiety and depression.  Journey As a company, BriggsAmasco is facilitating an environment that encourages, where reasonably possible, improved mental health amongst employees. This journey began in 2017 when a workshop was staged as part of the company’s annual Health and Safety forum. It was held on behalf of contract-related staff and subcontractors in order to steer individuals seeking guidance towards the appropriate mental health support. Feedback from employees who attended the workshop was extremely positive. This was particularly encouraging, as BriggsAmasco aims to create an environment and culture where staff feel comfortable discussing their psychological state, whether it is good or bad.  Employers should take into account the fact that not all workers feel comfortable raising such issues with their manager, whereas others will view it as the best avenue to getting help. Listening to workers and addressing their specific needs is vital. Any staff member that is not comfortable speaking to a BriggsAmasco representative has access to the company’s Employee Assistance Programme that is 100% confidential and deals with anything from mental health issues to financial or legal problems they may be experiencing. New employees are issued with information cards, highlighting external organisations – The Lighthouse Club, Building Mental Health – which provide support to the construction community and their families. Mental health initiative BriggsAmasco hosts each new employee at its Birmingham head office for a two-day induction that includes a presentation and discussion on its mental health strategy, devised to ensure each employee has access to at least one mental health first aider on site and within its offices. Two members of BriggsAmasco staff are Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trained and available to deliver the courses throughout the business. Since March 2019, the company has trained 35 staff as mental health first aiders; a figure that will increase in the following year. The company’s board of directors will also undergo training in mental health awareness to help continue open conversations across the company, as proof of how seriously it takes its staff’s psychological welfare.   Mental illness has long been considered something of a taboo subject within the building industry. By bringing the issue to light through its education and training initiatives, BriggsAmasco is doing all it can to safeguard its employees’ peace of mind. Visit:https://briggsamasco.co.uk/

The British Standards Institute (BSI) has published the BS 6229: 2018 - flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproof covering - code of practice – writes Martin Bidewell, Head of Technical and Product Management for Sika Roofing .   The latest guidelines, which were published in November, contain a number of changes in relation to general good practice guidance, updated terminology and definitions for flat roofs. These include an update of the previous definition for a “vapour control layer” to an “air and vapour control layer” (AVCL), as they perform two important functions. Changes now recommend avoiding the traditional cold roof construction, where the insulation is on the underside or cold side of the deck, due to the difficulty in forming an effective AVCL, cross ventilation and the subsequent increased risk of condensation. An additional “breather layer” is now shown over the insulation to provide an external air-leakage barrier and to help protect the insulation against any detrimental environmental factors. More specific reference on the minimum design and finished falls in formed gutters and a new definition for “zero falls” (roof slope between 0 and 1:80 with no back falls or ponding) is also now included. A small relaxation to minimum upstand heights at door thresholds to balconies and terraces only is adopted (following NHBC guidance) to allow designers to meet the Building Regulations for level access. For all other abutments, the waterproofing should still be terminated a minimum of 150mm from the finished roof level. Updated advice is available for the thermal design of inverted roofs, having now obtained improved practical experience of the actual performance of inverted roofs incorporating a water flow reducing layer (WFRL), designed to reduce the ‘cooling effect’ from rainwater. Interstitial condensation is covered in detail under its own standard, BS 5250, so has been removed from this standard. However, the updated code of practice does advise minimum thermal values for heated buildings (0.35W/m2K) are achieved at any point, to avoid surface condensation, all as per legislation guidance. Although it is anticipated many of the above mentioned amendments will take time to become established industry practice Martin Bidewell, Sika’s Head of Technical and Product Management, said those within the building sector should now be familiarising themselves with the code and following this updated guidance. He said: “Manufacturers, specifiers and the like should be obtaining copies of the standard. People need to understand what the detailed changes are and the affect it might have on our buildings. From here on in, companies should be doing their utmost to ensure all new designs incorporate the latest recommendations.” The code relating to flat roofs with continuously supported coverings was previously updated in 2003. Martin said the new guidelines provide more clarity for users. “The latest guidelines are more defined and help eliminate some of the grey areas that existed within the previous code,” he said. “The 2003 version really was an old standard, therefore the 2018 code brings it into line with the latest Building Regulations and other codes of practice. In my opinion, the latest guidelines are more streamlined and easier to understand, which can only be a good thing.” “The guidelines are vital to successful flat roofing,” Martin added. “The standard sets out the basics of how to properly design a flat roof. There will always be instances when the guidelines cannot be adhered to completely, particularly when the project involves the refurbishment of an existing roof. However, there should be no excuse to ignore the code in new-build scenarios. The BS 6229 code of practice is the go-to flat-roofing document, and along with relevant trade association guidance, should form the minimum standards the industry is looking to achieve for every roofing project.” For copies of BS 6229: 2018, visit: shop.bsigroup.com  

When it comes to construction, especially when there is a focus in commercial and industrial projects, access doors and panels are becoming an asset if not being commonly considered for projects. For many contractors, access panels are becoming a solution and option for clients looking to enhance accessibility, create versatility and functionality. Access panels may not be the first thing a client thinks of when they are seeking a wall, floor or roof solution. It is for this reason why it can be hard for contractors and builders to sell the idea of using access doors and panels; however, as will be discussed, there is so much to gain when installing an access panel and door to any project. One thing that a contractor and builder can consult with their clients to show the benefits of an access panel and door, they can demonstrate why it is they need an access panel or door. To best understand why we share the following… Purpose When it comes to access panels and doors, some clients may not realize that the panel can offer many purposes. It is for this reason that a contractor or builder will want to discuss the needs of the client with what the access panel can offer. For example, a client may think that the only way to gain or provide access to tight and not so easily accessible spaces is via a door of sorts, when in fact access panels can not only create this access point but it can also provide security. The purpose of an access panel and what the client is hoping to accomplish will allow the contractor to provide the best option and solution. When the contractor or builder can fully understand the purpose of their requirements, then they can truly define the best building solution and option. Safety and Security When it comes to commercial and industrial buildings, safety and security are two major factors for clients often wanting to invest in the best option and solution. This means that when it comes to access panels, they may not always know what an access panel has to offer. When it comes to commercial kitchens, access panels are commonly used and recommended, especially when it comes to air vents and fireproofed access panels. The installation of an access panel is a business like a restaurant, or a factory can benefit significantly from one of the many access panels available in the market. From fire to soundproof panels and air vents, access panels allow business owners to enhance the safety and security of the building. More importantly, access panels that are correctly installed and selected will adhere to building codes and requirements. Functionality Access panels can unexpectedly fulfill a gap that a client may not have realized they had. Access panels and doors provide a level of functionality that is often limited by other building solutions. A door that is meant to create access may not prevent noise transference, a hatch may not have vents to allow for smoke to escape and airtight panels may not actually prevent the seeping of outside elements. With the investment of an access panel, the functionality becomes two-fold if not more. When a client is looking to install an access panel, they can also pick an access panel that doubles as being insulated or fireproof. The functionality of a panel will massively vary based on the material that it is made from. For example, contractors would not recommend the use of plastic for any exterior installs, if anything, they would ensure that the access panel is rust proof. Budget Friendly Looking to ensure that the budget is kept can be hard. Some factors are beyond any contractor or builders’ control. From materials to labour, any time there is a change or something that was not predicted it can lead to increases in cost; however if there is one building product that a contractor can rely on to keep costs low it is the access panel. While the price will vary on the material and size, access panels can be a cost-friendly solution to any project. Depending on the size of the project and the suppliers, contractors may be able to purchase access panels at a bulk rate and discount. Builder Better and Smarter Access panels have been around for decades and centuries. Initially, they were meant just to be a wall that could be easily installed and moved; however, over time and with the progression of technology, the access panel has evolved to be so much more. When a contractor or builder can incorporate an access panel or door to their project, they are enhancing the space, but more importantly, they are building smart. Access panels offer a unique level of versatility that is unlike any building product in the market. There are very few products that a contractor or builder can use that can meet various requirements. With access panels and doors, contractors and builders can recommend them as just a door, or they can recommend a panel with added features. From insulation to security and fireproofing – the access panel enhances any space and for a fraction of a cost that some clients may think will be the best solution. Not to mention, access panels can be easily concealed to suit the surroundings – even metal access panels can be coated with a white powder that can be painted over. Going with an access panel can be both a smart investment but a problem solver as well. They are a building product that is sometimes underrated because they are not commonly used; however, thanks to contractors who are seasoned in the field and industry – they know that an access panel can do much more than just be a flat surface. To learn more about the various access panels, both clients and contractors can visit online shops such as Best Access Doors or Access Doors and Panels to see some of their top-selling panels but also speak with their knowledgeable representatives.  

The catastrophic failure of Genoa’s Morandi bridge in August in 2018 has only served to highlight how ageing bridge structures must have a maintenance regime that can ensure the safety of road users.  In the UK, rail and road bridges are subjected to many types of loadings and other influences including corrosion which has to be properly managed to maintain safety.  With nearly 100,000 road road and rail bridges across the country, what proven solutions are available to ensure this vital infrastructure is fit for the future? Three quarters of all highways bridges consist of reinforced concrete, and whilst concrete accounts for the make-up of the majority of rail bridges, these structures are also made of other materials such as cast and wrought iron. Regardless of a bridge’s properties, the long-term exposure to the elements and traffic-based wear and tear will potentially lead to a number of issues including reinforcement corrosion, excessive cracking, chloride ingress and surface erosion. The consequences of not addressing bridge repair problems will be costly and possibly even dangerous in the long-run. Therefore, evaluating the causes of the deterioration is just as important and vital to evaluating and offering the correct repair strategy. Testing is a vital part of bridge repair and protection specification. It can be carried out using various techniques including a basic visual survey, hammer testing, chloride analysis techniques, carbonation testing, concrete-to-reinforcement cover surveys and half-cell potential testing. These assessments will help play a part in Sika’s preparation of any project-specific specification offering.  Lifecycle costing and management offers bridge owners the best approach to minimising any closure times whilst increasing required periods between scheduled maintenance works. This helps incur a minimal expenditure over the structure’s full service life. Sika provides bridge owners and their maintenance managers with the right design and planning tools, followed by well-designed and proven refurbishment solutions and systems to considerably increase the time between necessary maintenance and repair cycles. As the worldwide leader in the structural-strengthening of all types of reinforced concrete structures, Sika provides a full range of fully-tested and approved strengthening systems. Rather than use steel reinforcement to strengthen columns, beams, slabs and wall, specifiers are turning to carbon fibre.Flexible and versatile with a superior strength-to-mass ratio than traditional reinforcing methods, carbon fibre allows for a significant increase in performance without adding additional significant dead load. This solution is less intrusive and quicker and easier to install compared to traditional methods. Carbon fibre strengthening comes in many different forms, plates, rods, near surface mounted plates, fabrics and shear links and are fixed using a range of high performance structural adhesives. It is increasing in popularity as a proven solution for not only reinforced concrete but also steel, cast iron, wood and masonry structures due to its strength, lightweight, easy-handling ability, durability, superb adhesion and rapid installation where downtime of a structure is in short supply. By installing Sika CarboDur® for example, it is possible to improve the load carrying capability of the bridge so it can carry additional wheel loads and be fit for modern road standards. Furthermore, ageing bridges across the UK rail industry network, many from the Victorian era, require proven solutions which minimise disruption. This widely recognised and established carbon-fibre reinforced polymer strengthening solution can be installed overnight when using the new Sika CarboHeater® to encourage earlier curing, even at lower temperatures. Fixing and futureproofing critical infrastructure such as bridges has never been more important. When it comes to the upgrade and maintenance of these vital assets, Sika has the long-term refurbishment solutions that will stand the test of time. Visit www.sika.co.uk

Value engineering is a phrase that has divided the industry. At a time when the sector is under close scrutiny around the quality of what we build, value engineering – which not so long ago referred to a supply chain working to deliver best value – has been thrown under the bus in some quarters and blamed as a catalyst for cost-cutting, poor quality and performance. But is this right? I for one do not think so writes Mark Tomlin, Chief Executive Officer at VJ Technology. At the end of last year, Dame Judith Hackitt, author of ‘Building a Safer Future: Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety’ addressed an audience at the annual CABE (Chartered Association of Building Engineers) conference. She spoke about the need for a joined-up regulatory process that went hand-in-hand with a tougher regulatory reform regime with real penalties and sanctions for those who didn’t conform. She argued that the term ‘value engineering’ should be driven out of construction, saying that it was a phrase she would be ‘happy to never hear again’. “It is anything but value. It is cutting costs and quality,” she said. “The structure of industry has to change to make it more effective. We need to put a focus on the way in which buildings are procured. If we have a process that makes people bid at a cost they can’t afford to deliver at, we set ourselves up to fail.” Whilst I agree with her sentiment about the industry’s need to change and be more effective, I think she has misinterpreted the ‘value engineering’ phrase. Following her statement, there were many who were quick to point this out. So, what is the real definition of value engineering? Officially, value engineering is not a design/peer review or a cost-cutting exercise. It is a creative, organised effort which analyses the requirements of a project for the purpose of achieving the essential functions at the lowest total costs (capital, staffing, energy, maintenance) over a project’s lifetime. Through a group investigation, using experienced, multi-disciplinary teams, value and economy are improved through the study of alternate design concepts, materials and methods without compromising the functional and value objectives of the client. In simplistic terms, we have the price - what someone offers to sell or produce something at; then we have the cost. This covers everything that is needed to have the product or service installed and working. We then have the value – this is what the working product or service is worth to the customer and end user. Value engineering is therefore the process of optimising the cost to meet the customer’s requirements for the purposes of the product or service throughout its working life. So, genuine value engineering is about added value through a process of design and evaluation. The problem is the word ‘value’. To many this means reducing cost, and all too often when cost comes in to the equation, lowest cost wins. This leads to quality – and sometimes performance – being compromised. On virtually every project there is a need to reduce cost and a desire to improve margins. But reducing costs shouldn’t be about reducing quality, it should be about finding a way of delivering what is required at a lower cost, without compromising performance, safety and function. I can think of a number of projects where value engineering has delivered true value to the client. For example, there have been instances where VJ Technology has been able to assess a design and provide the client with a solution that uses a high- grade fixing, that due to their performance, means fewer are required. Whilst individually the high performance fixings are more expensive, when you factor in the fewer fixings required and the associated time savings, it works out much better value – a better performance at a lower cost. I stand by the true meaning of value engineering. The benefit of turning to specialist companies such as VJ Technology is so that you can utilise their skills and expertise and they in turn will provide recommendations that offer value, without compromise. And this is the thing to remember – value engineering is not about compromise, it is about adding value though engineering expertise. Visit: http://www.vjtechnology.com/

A muddy site, a tool belt and hard hat, wolf whistling, dirty finger nails, Bob the Builder and middle-aged men are just some of the perceptions we have when we think of people who work in the construction industry. Lest we forget our hard-working tradesmen who are up at the crack of dawn laying bricks, but ‘construction’ has way more to it than that. There is no escaping construction. The building you’re sitting in right now keeping you warm and safe is ‘construction’ yet our nation sees it as an unappealing career option, but guess what! I’m a woman in my mid-thirties and I work in construction and I love it writes Kelly Slociak, Head of PR, Fabrick . When I was 16 I had already mapped out that I was going to be an actress and have 4 children (including one set of twins) by the age of 30. I spoke to the careers advisor and my teachers and I chose my GCSE disciplines ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ and off I went. Limited choices, limited opportunities… Did I really know at that age what I really wanted to do, or more importantly, what my best skills were in order to guide me? Probably not, but back then that was what it was. For the record, I quickly learnt I was a rubbish actress, and actually the thought of having 4 children in my twenties meant I couldn’t go out partying, so that plan, to say the least, did not work out. I am often asked how I ended up working in construction and I always answer with ‘probably the same way you did, I ‘fell’ into it’. Just like most things in my life, I fell into Art College, I fell into doing a PR and journalism degree, I fell into a career in PR and marketing and then I fell into the construction industry. And now I am a voice for my clients who want to be at the forefront of decision makers in the industry. If I could go back to school and start afresh, it would be nice to know that construction isn’t just for men and actually there are lots of exciting opportunities within the industry. If I knew what an architect’s role was or a Quantity Surveyor’s role was or what a BIM expert was, perhaps my mind-set may have been somewhat different. So how can we ensure that the children of our future know about the construction industry and actually encourage these opportunities? I was invited to an inspiring talk by Mark Farmer at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group (CIMCIG) debate last week on the ‘Image of Construction’ at the House of Lords. ‘Young people need to be inspired and motivated and we need to achieve a better gender balance’ were just a few of the points addressed to make the industry more attractive. Farmer also went on to speculate that the term ‘construction industry’ was perhaps maybe now outdated and asked if we should now be addressing it as the ‘built environment’. This is a term, that as an agency, we started to introduce a couple of years ago which sounds more appealing and represents more of a diverse range of prospects. ‘As an industry, how can we change the image of construction? The opportunity here is to be collaborative’ – which was heavily echoed in the Q&A debate from the panel of speakers which included Sadie Morgan of dRMM, Mark Reynolds, Chief Executive of Mace Group, Sam Stacey of Transforming Construction and Jade Lewis of St Gobain Group. Talking to a room full of fellow marketers, Farmer made a plea for better co-ordination, asking for more collaboration to reflect the increasingly high-tech nature of the industry and the solutions it presents to global issues such as climate change and living standards. Training has been neglected and the skills shortage continues so we need to be working together and reaching out to the schools, colleges and the next generation in general to educate them. Yes, we have a massive industry, and yes it comes with many problems, but it also comes with lots of opportunities to tackle those problems. For people of all ages, gender and backgrounds, this has to be an inspiring prospect. An opportunity to improve lives and help save our planet! So now what? They say it begins at home. So, every household with children that owns Lego bricks, I’d say that’s a good place to start… Visit: www.wearefabrick.com

Following a report last week by BBC’s Watchdog highlighting the hundreds of new build homes which are a fire risk, we are once again reminded of the dangerous gap between the expectation of safety, the reality of building regulations and the performance of buildings writes Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. People assume that buildings are safe but if a building is built to regulations, what does that mean? What do people hear? Is it that the building complies with the statutory minimums to secure the health and safety of those in and around the building? In other words, you will escape the fire but your property is totally lost.  Or do people hear their property is protected by fire so both they and their possessions will be safe and protected from fire?  Or do people think we are safe from fire but there may be a little damage? The issue is therefore a case of clarity and an understanding of what the terms mean. It’s not unusual to hear after a fire that the building complied with building regulations. The fire may well have been devastating in terms of property damage but it was a success in terms of regulation and we could do no more. One only has to look at the devastating fire on New Year’s Eve at the Shurgard self-storage facility in Croydon as an example of the ambiguity and misunderstanding of building regulations. It was built to regulations but that did not stop the fire from destroying 1,198 rented units and the impact it had on the hundreds of people whose possessions were lost in the blaze. It was another painful reminder that fire does not discriminate; whether it is a self-storage warehouse, a university, a car park or an office, fires happen on a regular basis. The issue raised by Watchdog needs to be addressed but at the same time we need to work to help people clearly understand it is the minimum required. Building regulations will not protect their property from being lost in the event of a fire. In the case of a new build home, it means meeting the minimum required. Fire spread in building voids and the time for a fire to break out of a room will be limited and the occupants will have time to escape Regulation and guidance is about minimums but all too often the minimum is not clearly defined or communicated. The protection of property is often misunderstood. A recent YouGov survey found that 69% of the businesses polled thought that following Building Regulations’ Approved Document B (ADB) guidance meant that their business premises and contents would be adequately protected from fire events. It doesn’t, but it should. The decision to review Building Regulations Approved Document B (ADB) is welcomed by the BSA and many construction organisations across the industry.  Property protection should be a consideration of the ADB guidance to make buildings of the future resilient to fire. If you want to be resilient to fire you cannot rely on the minimum. Visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org